High speed folding door

Claim 2

A folding door comprising: first and second side frames disposed adjacent to respective lateral edges of an opening in a wall; a header assembly disposed adjacent to an upper edge of and extending across the opening and coupled to respective upper portions of said first and second side frames; a support structure coupled to and disposed adjacent to said header assembly; a plurality of trolleys coupled to and suspended from said support structure; a plurality of support arms each coupled to and suspended from a respective trolley, wherein each of said support arms includes an elongated slot extending the length of said support arm along a lower portion thereof; a plurality of flexible panels; a plurality of flexible hanger means for attaching each of said flexible panels to a respective one of said support arms, wherein each of said flexible hanger means is disposed within a support arm and extends through the elongated slot therein and is securely coupled to an upper edge of a flexible panel, and wherein each of said hanger means includes a flexible loop coupled to opposed surfaces of a panel adjacent an upper edge thereof and extending into a support arm through the slot therein, said hanger means further including an elongated member disposed within said support arm and inserted through said flexible loop; breakaway coupling means for coupling two panels in a sealed, continuous manner along adjacent edges thereof while allowing two coupled panels to be detached from one another when subjected to large forces incident thereon; and drive means coupled to said trolleys for linearly displacing said trolleys along said support structure is opening and closing said folding door.

Claim 3

The folding door of claim 1 wherein said flexible loop is comprised of fabric.

Claim 4

A folding door comprising: first and second side frames disposed adjacent to respective lateral edges of an opening in a wall; a header assembly disposed adjacent to an upper edge of and extending across the opening and coupled to respective upper portions of said first and second side frames; a support structure coupled to and disposed adjacent to said header assembly; a plurality of trolleys coupled to and suspended from said support structure; a plurality of support arms each coupled to and suspended from a respective trolley, wherein each of said support arms includes an elongated slot extending the length of said support arm along a lower portion thereof; a plurality of flexible panels; a plurality of flexible hanger means for attaching each of said flexible panels to a respective one of said support arms, wherein each of said flexible hanger means is disposed within a support arm and extends through the elongated slot therein and is securely coupled to an upper edge of a flexible panel, and wherein each of said hanger means includes a flexible loop comprised of fabric and coupled to opposed surfaces of a panel adjacent an upper edge thereof and extending into a support arm through the slot therein, said hanger means further including an elongated member disposed within said support arm and inserted through said flexible loop, and wherein each of said panels is comprised of PVC with each of said flexible fabric loops coupled to its associated panel by heat sealing means; breakaway coupling means for coupling two panels in a sealed, continuous manner along adjacent edges thereof while allowing two coupled panels to be detached from one another when subjected to large forces incident thereon; and drive means coupled to said trolleys for linearly displacing said trolleys along said support structure in opening and closing said folding door.

Claim 5

A folding door comprising: first and second side frames disposed adjacent to respective lateral edges of an opening in a wall; a header assembly disposed adjacent to an upper edge of and extending across the opening and coupled to respective upper portions of said first and second side frames; a support structure coupled to and disposed adjacent to said header assembly; a plurality of trolleys coupled to and suspended from said support structure; a plurality of support arms each coupled to and suspended from a respective trolley, wherein each of said support arms includes an elongated slot extending the length of said support arm along a lower portion thereof; a plurality of flexible panels; a plurality of flexible hanger means for attaching each of said flexible panels to a respective one of said support arms, wherein each of said flexible hanger means is disposed within a support arm and extends through the elongated slot therein and is securely coupled to an upper edge of a flexible panel, and wherein each of said hanger means includes a flexible loop comprised of fabric and coupled to opposed surfaces of a panel adjacent an upper edge thereof and extending into a support arm through the slot therein, said hanger means further including an elongated member disposed within said support arm and inserted through said flexible loop, and wherein each of said panels is comprised of PVC with each of said flexible fabric loops coupled to its associated panel by heat sealing means; breakaway coupling means for coupling two panels in a sealed, continuous manner along adjacent edges thereof while allowing two coupled panels to be detached from one another when subjected to large forces incident thereon; and drive means coupled to said trolleys for linearly displacing said trolleys along said support structure in opening and closing said folding door.

Claim 6

The folding door of claim 3 wherein said elongated member is comprised of a hard material having a cylindrical shape.

Claim 7

The folding door of claim 4 wherein said elongated member is comprised of a hard rubber cord.

Claim 8

The folding door of claim 1 wherein adjacent panels are arranged in an edge overlapping manner and wherein said breakaway coupling means includes a pair of complementary, mutually engaging strips each disposed on a respective overlapping edge of adjacent panels.

Claim 9

The folding door of claim 6 wherein said strips include a quick release Velcro coupler.

Claim 10

The folding door of claim 7 wherein said Velcro coupler strips extend substantially the entire length of a panel.

Claim 11

A folding door for use in a high-temperature or low-temperature environment in environmentally isolating areas disposed on respective opposed sides of the folding door, said door comprising: first and second side frames disposed adjacent to respective lateral edges of an opening in a wall; a header assembly disposed adjacent to an upper edge of and extending across the opening and coupled to respective upper portions of said first and second side frames; a support structure coupled to and disposed adjacent to said header assembly; a plurality of trolleys coupled to and suspended from said support structure; a plurality of support arms each coupled to and suspended from a respective trolley, wherein each of said support arms includes an elongated slot extending the length of said support arm along a lower portion thereof; a plurality of flexible panels each having an insulating layer for use in a high or low temperature environment; flexible mounting means disposed within each of said support arms and extending through a respective slot therein for attaching a panel to a support arm; quick release coupling means for coupling adjacent panels to one another in a continuous, sealed manner substantially along the entire lengths of said panels; and drive means coupled to said trolleys for linearly displacing said trolleys along said support structure in opening and closing said folding door.

Claim 12

A folding door for use in a high-temperature or low-temperature environment in environmentally isolating areas disposed on respective opposed sides of the folding door, said door comprising: first and second side frames disposed adjacent to respective lateral edges of an opening in a wall; a header assembly disposed adjacent to an upper edge of and extending across the opening and coupled to respective upper portions of said first and second side frames; a support structure coupled to and disposed adjacent to said header assembly; a plurality of trolleys coupled to and suspended from said support structure; a plurality of support arms each coupled to and suspended from a respective trolley, wherein each of said support arms includes an elongated slot extending the length of said support arm along a lower portion thereof; a plurality of flexible panels each having an insulating layer for use in a high or low temperature environment; flexible mounting means disposed within each of said support arms and extending through a respective slot therein for attaching a panel to a support arm; quick release coupling means for coupling adjacent panels to one another in a continuous, sealed manner substantially along the entire lengths of said panels; and drive means coupled to said trolleys for linearly displacing said trolleys along said support structure in opening and closing said folding door.

Claim 13

The folding door of claim 9 wherein each of said panels includes a pair of facing outer fabric layers and an insulating layer disposed therebetween.

Claim 14

The folding door of claim 10 wherein each of said fabric layer is comprised of hypalon.

Claim 15

The folding door of claim 10 wherein said insulating layer is comprised of a bubble pack having a reflective foil skin disposed on opposed surfaces thereof.

Claim 16

The folding door of claim 12 wherein said bubble pack is comprised of polyethylene and said foil skin is comprised of aluminum.

Claim 17

The folding door of claim 9 further comprising a bottom sweep disposed on a bottom edge of each of said panels for sealing a panel bottom edge with a lower portion of the opening in the wall.

Claim 18

The folding door of claim 14 wherein each of said bottom sweeps is comprised of a wear resistant material which is sewn to a bottom edge of a panel.

Claim 19

A folding door comprising: first and second side frames disposed adjacent to respective lateral edges of an opening in a wall; a header assembly disposed adjacent to an upper edge of and extending across the opening and coupled to respective upper portions of said first and second side frames; a support structure coupled to and disposed adjacent to said header assembly; a plurality of trolleys coupled to and suspended from said support structure; a plurality of support arms each coupled to and suspended from a respective trolley, wherein each of said support arms includes an elongated slot extending the length of said support arm along a lower portion thereof; flexible mounting means disposed within each of said support arms and having a mounting portion extending through a respective slot therein; a plurality of flexible panels each coupled to and suspended from a respective one of said support arms by said mounting portion of its associated mounting means, said panels including first and second outer panels respectively disposed adjacent to said first and second side frames; first and second hinge means respectively disposed between and coupling said first outer panel to said first side frame and said second outer panel to said first side frame and said second outer panel to said second side frame and for providing a continuous, flexible seal between each outer panel and its associated side frame; coupling means for coupling adjacent panels to one another in a continuous, sealed manner along adjacent edges thereof; and drive means coupled to said trolleys for linearly displacing said trolleys along said support structure in opening and closing said folding door.

Claim 20

A folding door comprising: first and second side frames disposed adjacent to respective lateral edges of an opening in a wall; a header assembly disposed adjacent to an upper edge of and extending across the opening and coupled to respective upper portions of said first and second side frames; a support structure coupled to and disposed adjacent to said header assembly; a plurality of trolleys coupled to and suspended from said support structure; a plurality of support arms each coupled to and suspended from a respective trolley, wherein each of said support arms includes an elongated slot extending the length of said support arm along a lower portion thereof; flexible mounting means disposed within each of said support arms and having a mounting portion extending through a respective slot therein; a plurality of flexible panels each coupled to and suspended from a respective one of said support arms by said mounting portion of its associated mounting means, said panels including first and second outer panels respectively disposed adjacent to said first and second side frames; first and second hinge means respectively disposed between and coupling said first outer panel to said first side frame and said second outer panel to said first side frame and said second outer panel to said second side frame and for providing a continuous, flexible seal between each outer panel and its associated side frame; coupling means for coupling adjacent panels to one another in a continuous, sealed manner along adjacent edges thereof; and drive means coupled to said trolleys for linearly displacing said trolleys along said support structure in opening and closing said folding door.

Claim 21

A folding door comprising: first and second side frames disposed adjacent to respective lateral edges of an opening in a wall; a header assembly disposed adjacent to an upper edge of and extending across the opening and coupled to respective upper portions of said first and second side frames; a support structure coupled to and disposed adjacent to said header assembly; a plurality of trolleys coupled to and suspended from said support structure; a plurality of support arms each coupled to and suspended from a respective trolley; a plurality of flexible panels each coupled to and suspended from a respective one of said support arms, said panels including first and second outer panels respectively disposed adjacent to said first and second side frames; first and second hinge means respectively disposed between and coupling said first outer panel to said first side frame and said second outer panel to said second side frame, each of said first and second hinge means being comprised of a flexible, solid fabric attached to an outer edge of an outer panel and to an adjacent portion of a side frame, said fabric extending substantially the entire length of said panel, providing a continuous, flexible seal between its associated outer panel and its associated side frame; quick release coupling means for coupling adjacent panels to one another in a continuous, sealed manner along adjacent edges thereof; and drive means coupled to said trolleys for linearly displacing said trolleys along said support structure in opening and closing said folding door.

Claim 22

A folding door comprising: first and second side frames disposed adjacent to respective lateral edges of an opening in a wall; a header assembly disposed adjacent to an upper edge of and extending across the opening and coupled to respective upper portions of said first and second side frames; a support structure coupled to and disposed adjacent to said header assembly; a plurality of trolleys coupled to and suspended from said support structure; a plurality of support arms each coupled to and suspended from a respective trolley; a plurality of flexible panels each coupled to and suspended from a respective one of said support arms, said panels including first and second outer panels respectively disposed adjacent to said first and second side frames; first and second hinge means respectively disposed between and coupling said first outer panel to said first side frame and said second outer panel to said second side frame, each of said first and second hinge means being comprised of a flexible, solid fabric attached to an outer edge of an outer panel and to an adjacent portion of a side frame, said fabric extending substantially the entire length of said panel, providing a continuous, flexible seal between its associated outer panel and its associated side frame; quick release coupling means for coupling adjacent panels to one another in a continuous, sealed manner along adjacent edges thereof; and drive means coupled to said trolleys for linearly displacing said trolleys along said support structure in opening and closing said folding door.

Claim 23

The folding door of claim 17 further comprising first heat sealed coupling means and second coupling means for coupling said fabric to an edge of an outer panel and to an adjacent side frame, respectively.

Claim 24

The folding door of claim 18 wherein said second coupling means includes a pressure plate for attaching said fabric to said side frame in a sealed manner substantially along the entire length thereof.